How Online Dating Grew My Tutoring Business

Parents are skeptical of online dating because of context (first interaction was in-person).

Parents are skeptical of online tutoring because of context (the tutor meets in-person).

When I first thought about the differentiator for my tutoring company, the first idea that came to mind was: matchmaking.

At my former company whenever there was a refund or complaint almost 100% of the time it was because the student-tutor relationship wasn’t solid.

That’s because larger tutoring companies say they focus on pairing the right tutor for your student, but what they really do is match based on availability.

As a parent, you say Tuesdays at 6 PM works best so whoever comes up in the database with that opening goes to the top of the list. Sales people are quick to take public information such as bios to sell you on the fact they thought this potential pairing through (false).

When I initially used the analogy of online dating with a parent I felt myself cringe (or maybe that was the parent…), but over time I realize it’s a perfect way of describing what we do differently.

As resistant as the average person is to change (tutoring in-person vs. online) it’s important to speak to what’s relevant or trendy for context purposes. Online dating and online tutoring are both Billion dollar industries that cannot be denied.

You may not agree with how technology has changed the two services mentioned above, but you can agree you’ve heard of them before.

Effective marketing is clearly communicating the value they receive in exchange for an investment. I can’t force parents/students to work with us, but I can clearly explain how working with us works.

Matchmaking in online tutoring works with students because they want to like who they are talking to.

Matchmaking in online tutoring works with parents because they want to know who is working with their child and that they don’t hate their tutor.

Chemistry between the tutor and student is the most impactful quality that affects results because a stronger relationship equals more commitment, engagement and motivation moving forward.

Online dating helps us pair the right tutor with your student and that makes for a match made in academic heaven.